Feathered paddle mechanism with eccentric



July 30, c TOWN I FEATHERED PADDLE MECHANISM WITH ECCENTRIC Filed July5, 1961 C'lz'nfon D. Town IN V EN TOR.

Ml/W

3,ll99,319 FEATHERED PADDLE MECHANISM WITH ECCENTREC Clinton D. Town, W5SE. Rush St, Portland, Greg. Filed Early 5, 1961, Ser. No. 124,24 3Claims. ((Ci. Till-151) This invention relates to propulsion mechanismfor boats, and more particularly to a propulsion mechanism with paddleshaving means for feathering the paddles as they are moved.

Paddle-type propulsion mechanisms have a number of peculiar advantages.For instance, they may be constructed with a relatively shallow draft,and still operate efiiciently. Further, they are not as susceptible toencumbrance with weeds and grasses as propeller-type mechanisms. Toincrease the efliciency of paddle-type propulsion mechanisms, someconstructions have included means for feathering the paddles, on theirmovement in and out of the water, whereby they remain substantiallyupright at all times. This reduces slapping of the water and othereffects that result in loss of power. A paddletype propulsion mechanism,with means for feathering the paddles, is disclosed in U.S. 2,918,892,entitled Boat and Propeller Mechanism. Generally, this inventionconcerns improvements in mechanisms of the type disclosed in the abovereferred-to patent.

A general object of the invention is to provide an improved paddle-typepropulsion mechanism, where the paddles, as well as the means forfeathering them, are carried entirely on a straight axle or shaft, suchshaft extending transversely of the boat and being suitably mounted atits ends. As a result of the construction, skewing tendencies in thepaddles are substantially eliminated. Mass and interbracing of the partsin the propulsion mechanism may be considerably reduced.

More specifically, it is an object of the invention to provide apropulsion mechanism with paddles, where a straight shaft supports thepaddles and the means for feathering them, and power is supplied to thepaddles by discs supporting the ends of the paddles, each disc beingpower driven and mounted on the shaft with their centers aligned. Inthis way power is applied evenly to both sets of ends of the paddleswithout subjecting the paddles to twisting strains.

Yet another object is to provide a paddle-type propulsion mechanism,including feathering mechanism, that features a regulator disc journaledon an eccentric mounted in a stationary position on one end of the shaftthat supports the propulsion mechanism.

Still another object of the invention is to provide novel coverstructure for the paddle feathering mechanism.

In the description of the invention that follows, two embodiments aredisclosed. A feature of one embodiment is the provision of a dead axleor shaft supporting a paddle mounting, and means for feathering thepaddles, with an eccentric carried directly by the dead axle by fixingit to the axle, such providing a mounting for a regulator disc journaledon the eccentric that is part of the feathering mechanism. In the otherembodiment, a live axle supports the paddle mounting, and the eccentricis mounted in a stationary position on the axle by means accommodatingrotation of the axle relative to the eccentric.

The features and objects discussed above, as well as others related tothe invention, will become more fully apparent as the followingdescription is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top, plan view of propulsion mechanism constructed accordingto one embodiment of the invention, with portions broken away, andshowing paddles in the mechanism, their mounting, and the means forfeathering them;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the propulsion mechanism illustrated in PEG. 1;and

FIG. 3 is a top, plan view of a modified form of the invention, withportions removed.

Referring now to the drawings, and in particular to *iGS. 1 and 2, apropulsion mechanism is indicated generally at ill. The mechanism issupported on horizontal beams 12 and 14, that are part of and extendlongitudinally along a boat hull. The space between the beams is open,and mechanism it} is carried by the beams with bottom portions thereofsubmerged in the water that floats the hull.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in H68. 1 and 2,propulsion mechanism 16 comprises an elongated dead axle or shaft 2%,extending transversely of beams 12 and 14. Thus, the shaft has its endsfixed to the beams by brackets 22.

Iournaled on shaft 2%, between the brackets 22, is an elongated sleeve26. The mounting for the sleeve on the shaft is such that the sleeve isprevented from shifting axially on the shaft. Adjacent each end ofsleeve 26, and secured thereto, as by screws 28, is a circular mountingdisc or plate, such being indicated at 36, 32.

Plates 3%, 32 support a series of paddles 34, which are between theplates and equally circumferentially spaced about sleeve 26 and axle 29.Each paddle comprises a blade portion 35, and is fixedly secured byclamps 38 to a spindle th. The spindles have opposite ends journaled inmounting plates 3%), 32.. One set of ends of the spindles have radiallyoffset portions, indicated at Ma.

The propulsion mechanism is actuated by means of a pulley 42 secured toan end of sleeve 25, and a driven belt 44. Belt 44 is rotated bysuitable power-operated means (not shown). their ends mounted on plates,each of which is secured to a driven sleeve, is important, as it meansthat the paddles are pulled through the water evenly and without skewingor twisting tendencies.

Offset portions Alia of the paddle spindles are axially outwardly ofplate 32. A regulator disc or plate is indicated at 4 6, and the offsetportions of the paddle spindles are journaled in plate id at pointsequally circumferentially spaced about the perimeter of plate 46.

Fastened to shaft 20, as by welding, and outwardly in an axial directionfrom plate 32, is an eccentric 50, also referred to herein as aneccentric bearing member. The eccentric comprises a disc bounded by acircular bearing surface, the center axis of which is offset radiallyfrom the longitudinal axis of the axle (to the right of the longitudinalaxis of the axle in the figures).

Regulator disc 46 has a circular bore 52 (see FIG. 2) at the centertherof. The disc is journaled on the eccentric, with the eccentricreceived within bore 52. Rotation of the regulator disc is thus about anaxis offset from the longitudinal axis of the axle.

At 56 there is indicated a shroud plate or disc, having substantiallythe same diameter as plates 3ft, 32. The shroud plate is journaled onaxle or shaft Ztl outwardly of regulator disc 46. A cylindrical cover 58fastened at one end to plate 32 and at its other end to plate or disc56' connects the shroud plate and plate 32. The shroud plate and coverconstitute cover structure for the regulator disc.

The operation of the propulsion mechanism described should be obvious.On movement of belt 44, sleeve 26 is rotated on axle 2d, and mountingplates 30, 32 are also rotated. This causes movement of the paddles in acircular path or sweep about the longitudinal axis of the sleeve andaxle. eca-use of the connection of the paddle The fact that the paddleshave spindles with the ofiset regulator disc, as the mounting plates 30,32 are rotated, the offset ends of the paddle spindles are maintained inthe same relative position, which is to the right of the main portion ofthe paddle spindles in FIGS. 1 and 2. The result is that the paddles,throughout their movement, are maintained in an upright position. Theshroud plate and cover rotate as a unit With plate 32, with the shroudplate and cover protecting the regulator disc, the offset ends of thespindles, and their mountings in the regulator disc.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 3, and referenceis now made to that figure, a live axle 6i replaces the dead axle of thefirst embodiment discussed. The axle is suitably journaled at its ends.Thus, the upper end illustrated in FIG. 3 is journaled as in a bracket62 secured to beam 12, and the lower end is journaled in a stationarysleeve 66 secured to beam 14. Plates '70, '72, corresponding to plates34?, 32 of the first embodiment, are secured directly (as by Welding) toaxle or shaft 60.

Paddles 74 are mounted on plates 7 0, 72 between plates 7%), 72. Theseinclude paddle spindles 76, with ofiset ends 75a. Ends 76a are journaledin a regulator disc or plate 78, similar to plate or disc 46.

In this embodiment of the invention, as in the first, an eccentric isprovided, such being indicated at St The eccentric is mounted in astationary position on the axle. Thus, the eccentric is fixedly joinedto stationary sleeve 66.

At 82 there is indicated a shroud plate, similar to plate 56 describedin connection with the first embodiment of the invention. A coverconnecting the shroud plate and plate 72 is shown at 83.

Completing the description of the mechanism, axle 60 is rotated by apulley 84 joined to the axle, and a powerdriven belt 86 trained over thepulley.

The operation of the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 3 issubstantially the same as the operation of the first mechanismillustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. On rotation of the axle or shaft 6%),plates 7%, 72 are revolved, with paddles 74 moved on rotation of theplates in a circular path or sweep. The regulator disc rotates withplates 7%, 72, maintaining the offset ends of the paddle spindles in thesame relative position. Thus, the paddles 'are kept upright at alltimes.

In both embodiments, it should be noted that a straight shaft extendingentirely through the propulsion mechanism is used, and that the paddlesare moved through the water by means connected to opposite ends of thepaddles and with the paddles balanced thereon. In both embodiments thepower for moving the paddles does not come from the regulator disc, andthe regulator disc only follows, so to speak, the paddles, because ofthe connec tions of the paddle spindles with the regulator disc.Consequently the offset ends 'of the paddle spindles are not subjectedto any appreciable twisting stresses in the propulsion mechanism. Alsoimportant is the fact that the outer margin :of the regulator disc isspaced from the shaft not farther than the outer margins of the discs:or plates mounting the paddles. This makes possible the type of coverstructure described for the regulator disc. Should the cover structurebe omitted, the fact that the d discs mounting the paddles haverelatively large diameters means that some degree of protection isafforded the regulator disc.

It is claimed and desired to secure by Letters Patent:

1. In boat propulsion mechanism, an elongated dead axle and meansmounting the ends of the axle, sleeve means journaled on said axle,plural paddles circumferentially spaced about said axle and sleevemeans, means connecting the paddles and sleeve means with the paddlesmovable in circular sweeps about the axle, an eccentric bearing memberand means mounting it in fixed position on said axle adjacent an endthereof, a regulator member journaled on said heating member, and meansconnecting each paddle and said regulator member with the regulatormember and paddles movable together and the regulator member operable tofeather the paddles on movement of the paddles.

2. Boat propulsion mechanism comp-rising an elongated axle, meansmounting the ends of the axle, a pair of mounting discs spacedlongitudinally on the axle and mounted thereon, plural paddles spacedcircumferentially about said axle and between and mounted on saidmounting discs, a shroud disc to one side of one of the mounting discsand mounted on the axle, a bearing disc mounted on the axle between theshroud disc and said one mounting disc, said bearing disc having acircular bearing surface with an axial center offset radially from thelongitudinal axis of the axle, a regulator disc journaled on the bearingsurface of said bearing disc, means connecting the regulator disc andeach of the paddles whereby the paddles are feathered by the regulatordisc, and a cover for the regulator disc and its connection with thepaddles, said cover extending between and being secured to said onemounting disc and said shroud disc.

3. In a boat having a hull, propulsion mechanism for the boat comprisingan elongated axle shaft and means adjacent each end of the shaftsecuring it in a stationary position on the hull, a rotatable sleevejournaled on said shaft intermediate the ends thereof, a pair ofpaddlemounting members spaced longitudinally on said sleeve and securedthereto, plural paddles circumferentially spaced about said sleevedisposed between and journaled on said mounting members, means forrotating said sleeve joined to said sleeve adjacent one of its ends andspaced outwardly toward the said one end of said sleeve from saidmounting members, rotation of said sleeve being operable to move saidpaddles in circular sweeps about said axle shaft, an eccentric bearingmember fastened to said axle adjacent the end of said sleeve oppositeits said one end, a regulator member journaled on said eccentric bearingmember, and means connecting each paddle and said regulator memberwhereby the regulator member is operable to feather the paddles onmovement of the paddles.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS729,397 Nowak May 26, 1903 1,844,406 McOrosky Feb. 9, 1932 1,893,62lHansen Jan. 10, 1933

1. IN BOAT PROPULSION MECHANISM, AN ELONGATED DEAD AXLE AND MEANSMOUNTING THE ENDS OF THE AXLE, SLEEVE MEANS JOURNALED ON SAID AXLE,PLURAL PADDLES CIRCUMFERENTIALLY SPACED ABOUT SAID AXLE AND SLEEVEMEANS, MEANS CONNECTING THE PADDLES AND SLEEVE MEANS WITH THE PADDLESMOVABLE IN CIRCULAR SWEEPS ABOUT THE AXLE, AN ECCENTRIC BEARING MEMBERAND MEANS MOUNTING IT IN FIXED POSITION ON SAID AXLE ADJACENT AN ENDTHEREOF, A REGULATOR